Alexis de la Rocha is a first-generation Latine artist, singer, songwriter, producer, and synth goddess born and based in Los Angeles. She has been performing and creating music her whole life, from her early beginnings as a dancer at age three and first piano lessons at age seven to performing in recitals, talent shows, and theatrical productions throughout high school and college.
De la Rocha is perhaps best known as the electrifying frontwoman of the Los Angeles experimental band, BEATMO, which she co-founded in 2006.
What first got you into music?
My parents and my abuelita Alina are the ones who really got me into music. My grandmother was a performer and she loved playing, “Begin the Beguine,” by Artie Shaw while singing her heart out. I grew up hearing stories of her singing on the radio and my personal favorite was the night my grandmother snuck out of her house as a teenager in Cuba to sing at a local nightclub, only to discover her dad sitting in shock in the front row. She was absolutely grounded. I like to think I’m following in her footsteps.
Who inspired you to make music?
My parents bought me my first keyboard and songbooks by Madonna and Phil Collins. I grew up in the eighties and nineties, and those delicious sounds of freestyle, house, trip-hop, electronic, grunge, hip-hop, R&B, and so much more live in my mind. I remember reenacting Dave Gahan in “Enjoy the Silence” and wanting so badly to be Björk.
How would you describe the music that you typically create?
My music is my soundtrack and interwebbings of my influences of 1980s synthesizers, fantasy, fashion, goth, and dream pop. ‘Haze’ is where I let my childhood play with sounds inspired by
David Lynch’s Twin Peaks theme by Angelo Daniel Badalamenti and where synths pay tribute to David Bowie’s instrumentation in the Labyrinth. You can definitely hear my early childhood influences from Madonna, Prince, and David Bowie’s stylized synth soundtrack to the 1986 film Labyrinth to the dance, alternative, and R&B music of my college years.
What is your creative process like?
I meditate and say a prayer, give thanks to my ancestors, set my intentions, light a candle under my huge evil eye/mal de ojo which watches over me at the top of my studio, and let all art pour from me. I’ve worked on letting go of my paralyzing unreality based limit of perfection and am diving fully into the sounds and art that fill my heart. I am a vessel and the art is a release.
If you could go open a show for any artist, who would it be?
I think opening up for Little Dragon would be a dream come true! I’ve been a fan forever and love their combination of synths with world instruments. Yukimi Nagano’s voice is spectacular and I remember first falling in love with her when she sang “Summer Song” with Koop.
Who are your top two favorite artists of all time? Why those artists?
My two favorite artists of all time are Björk and David Bowie. I adore their music, art, and individuality. Both represent a level of confidence and artistic freedom that completely inspires me.
Have you always been interested in music? Was there a particular song/performance that made you say “Woah! I want to do that!”?
Yes! The moment I saw David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, in Jim Henson’s film LABYRINTH, I thought, woooh, I want to do that. I want that power, confidence, sensuality, and fierce individual style. Isabella Rossellini, in DEATH BECOMES HER, exudes that same feeling and inspiration in me.
Do you sing in the shower? What songs?
Yes, I love to sing in the shower. Jazz standards are usually my go-to like “Speak Low”, “Lullaby of Birdland”, “Black Coffee”, and I also love to sing Roy Orbison, Portishead, Fleetwood Mac, or whatever pops up on my playlist.
If you were to write an autobiography, what would the title be? The girl who fell from the stars.
What would be the ideal food to have cooked for you on a date night? Chirashi Sushi anytime with a great cocktail and dessert. I’ll make it worth your while.
What was the last thing you dressed up as for fancy dress?
I love fashion, clothing and accessories. I will dress up in a gown to the market, just because. Life is short and I live by playing dress up.
What’s your favorite children’s story?
Love You Forever by Robert Munsch (Author) and Sheila McGraw (Illustrator)
If you were talking to a younger version of you, what advice would you give yourself?
What other people think of you is none of your business PERIOD. And, play baby, just play and have fun. Shine your bright light and create whatever damn art you want.